25 February 1985
Z-NEWS 106
Z TIPS: VMENU, a powerful shell under Z, has features somewhat different, and
perhaps at times more useful, than MENU. Significant differences between
these two and another Z shell, VFILER, indicate blending all three as most
useful:
Feature VMENU MENU VFILER
1. Show directory of files
along with menu yes no yes
2. Optionally lock user into
menu system yes yes no
3. Show macro commands to
be executed no yes no
4. Use macro commands from single
keystrokes shown on menu yes yes yes
5. Programmer speed mode
(no menu shown) no yes yes
6. Operate on file currently
pointed to yes no yes
7. Either page-out or scroll
menus no yes no
8. User-generated menu syntax
checker for quick debugging yes yes no
9. General disk system house-
keeping good fair best
An argument for universal use can be made for these Z shells. Your directory
system could contain each, in turn, depending upon dominant task for a parti-
cular directory environment. Environment is created by ST (alias-script
containing segments and commands) being loaded automatically by CD, used to
exit previous environment and arrive at present.
A fully secure system (one requiring password access to directories and
protected ERA, REN, etc. utilities) could use MENU as main user-interface
driver; other two, VMENU and VFILER, used to speed general computer activi-
ties: word processing, spread-sheet, telecommunications, database management,
accounting, programming--you name it. Secure systems are ideal in office (and
home child-occupied) areas where many people have access to unattended
machines.
Some Z users have not realized that Richard Conn has greatly extended our
library functions by adding Vlib and Z3lib to complement Syslib3. Six-disk
package, with full source code for each subroutine, sells for only $45.00: our
free-will donation to structured Assembly Language advancements. Package is
Item 27 on EI new price sheet effective 28 February. Syslib3 (Item 26) alone,
still only $29.00 on 4 disks!
Z-Tools (tm) Featured: Zas, Z80 macro relocating assembler with Zlink, Zlib,
Zcon, and Zref, does it all. Well, not all but nearly! Center-piece of our
tool collection, Zas forms basis for structured, maintainable Assembly
Language program generation. Use Syslib3, Vlib and Z3lib as source for
hundreds of linkable, efficient and proven subroutines. We combined popular
features to make Assembly Language program writing easier. A macro expanding
assembler using Intel, Zilog, DRI, TDL, and Microsoft syntax, mnemonics, and
pseudo-ops creating at command-line option either Digital Research HEX or
Microsoft REL object code. HEX files are converted to executable files with
Mload or with DRI Load; REL files are linked with modular library subroutines
and loaded with Echelon Zlink, DRI Link or Microsoft L80 (Link-80). Standard
DRI sorted symbol table is optionally produced for use by EI DSD and DRI SID
and ZSID debuggers. Zas works faster than conventional assemblers, as does
Zlink.
Zas comes with a librarian, Zlib, to build and manage linkable REL
libraries, and Zcon. The latter converts extended Intel (TDL) mnemonics to
Zilog. Symbol and label table cross referenced, with statistics, to source
line numbers is produced by Zref. Additionally, many TDL pseudo-ops are also
correctly converted, translated. (Zas is Item 10 on our price sheet: $95.00,
complete.)
We can now all convert our 8080 coded programs to Z80 and assemble them
with Zas! Bravo! Patrick O'Connell, our faith in you has been fully justi-
fied! (Being not a perfect world, we're sure minor changes to some programs
will be required because of syntax inequalities. So be it!)
DSD, Dynamic Screen Debugger, provides features previously not seen on
microcomputers. Version we ship works with both extended Intel (set produced
using DRI Z80.LIB and MAC, essentially TDL) and Zilog mnemonics. DSD uses
ZCPR3 environmental descriptor for automatic program installation, as other Z
utilities are installed with Z3INS and your SYS.ENV (or Z3.ENV if using Z3-
Dot-Com) file.
DSD Software In-Circuit-Emulator provides many expensive hardware I.C.E
features but it doesn't require attaching any wires. Single step and break-
point in ROM, write protect RAM, set code execute only, protect the stack from
overflowing, catch illegal instructions and watch memory locations and cpu
registers. The emulator can breakpoint on arbitrary conditions or identify
when a LDIR instruction is going to write over protected locations before
writing occurs! Not even hardware I.C.E. can provide such capability.
Full support provided for symbol files as generated by Zas, Mac, Rmac,
M80 (Macro-80), and other popular language translators--complete symbolic,
full-screen editor debugging! DSD runs on 8080, 8085, NSC800 and Z80
computers--soon will take full advantage of Hitachi HD64180, and when-
available Zilog Z800, super 8-bit microprocessors.
Other DSD features include: in-context online help, save memory into a
file, single step over subroutines, string searching, port I/O, viewing files.
And it only takes 16k-bytes of memory! (You C-Language programmers eat-your-
hearts-out.) It's Item 25 on our current price list.
By the way, each EI software line Item retains its number as price lists
are updated, acting as excellent double-check when orders are received. If we
need numbers for more than 99 items, heaven forbid, we'll use over-100 number
categories.
FLASH! Richard Conn featured as speaker at upcoming Trenton, NJ Faire, 20-217
April! Rick speaks on software development system environments: ZCPR3 (Z),
Unix and Ada.
New Computer Magazine Appearing: Sol Libes produces an every-other-month
magazine called Micro/Systems Journal, first issue is dated March/April 1985!
Dave Hardy has joined him but continues his column with Micro Cornucopia.
Randy Reitz has written a review of ZCPR3 features and we should see it in
Sol's May/June issue. (Mail M/SJ subscription orders to Box 1192, Mountain-
side, NJ 07092; $18.00 per year, six issues; $32.00 for two years.) Wonder
where Chris Terry, erstwhile writer, as are above, of defunct Ziff-David
Microsystems magazine, will show up next.
About EI Manuals: Echelon documentation is intended to be placed in 3-ring,
loose-leaf binders (ZCPR3: The Manual is exception). We don't already supply
such holders because of shipping weight and bulk. Good quality binders are so
dense, postage would exceed their down-at-your-local-stationery-store price.
On the other hand, many have asked us to produce a special binder with "Z"
printed on its front along with program- and tool-name page dividers--we may
do this, if we can get a wholesale deal that's attractive to you, our
customers.
Standard size, 8 1/2" by 11", loose-leaf folders are most efficient, best
for reading, studying, learning from. IBM-standard (5 1/2" by 8 1/2") are
simply too small (a backward way to do things); and holders of these little
folders make access from desk-top a two-handed procedure. Only one hand is
needed with conventional, large, without-being-in-a-box, loose-leaf binders.
But, Oh! how the herd has gotten into line: each one following the other,
waiting for a turn to sip nourishment from a much-used trough.
Z-News Numbering System consists of trailing three digits; first digit
representing Volume number and last, the Issue. Middle digit is inert and
used only because file is sent "squeezed" to various message systems in
middle-digit-always-Q form. So this Z-News 106 (1Q6) is Volume 1, Issue
Number 6. (We started with Volume 0; zero is a useful number sometimes, isn't
it?) Each Volume consists of nine (9) Issues, decimal modulo before cycle is
repeated, except there's never an Issue 0. We felt no necessity to key issues
to earthly months since it's published fortnightly. When we've published 90
issues, we'll change the numbering system (we may go to hexidecimal--no, just
kidding). Some of you asked about numbering; you now have our considered
answer.
An ancient once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Icons are
special pictures, two-dimensional symbols, presently in vogue. Icons permit
humans and computers to communicate. Long, long time ago, we used hieroglyphs
and then cuneiform to communicate among ourselves, we early homo sapiens.
Then after struggle, an alphabet developed. Now we go back to pictures,
icons. How many glyphs can we remember; 50, 100, 5,000! Echelon predicts
English words and phrases will be found best interface between humans and
machines. We recognize symbols as powerful, but we still must learn what each
symbol stands for! Icons presently are produced using common, every-day
symbols easily associated with common computer functions. But day draws near
when the number of functions gets so large, new non-everyday symbols have to
be created--a whole new language learning would then be necessary--which is
something we don't think appropriate! It's up to us to generate phrases that
permit quick learning, association with that known, to what is momentarily
desired.
Computing machines using icons, Star, Lisa, Macintosh (name of a rain
coat, not a variety of apple, providing insight to mentality of founders of a
certain company) are so easy to learn--pray tell, but what have you learned?
Such machines are fading even now. Touch screens, dead (sorry HP); mouse
pointers (and track balls, joy sticks, digitizing pads) have a place if heavy
graphics are necessary; high-resolution light pens (painter's brush) could be
next big fade. No universal solution to user/machine communications is
possible; each of us have our needs of the moment. Remember, we can't even
reliably talk to opposite gender (sex), how our computing machines!
Four-year programmers wish only command-line completion features; one-
week interested users, Macintosh's; two months, IBM PC's; ten year, protect
your you-know-what big-company managers, IBM PC, XT and AT's. As we see more,
as we learn more, our needs move from plateau to plateau. "There's no free
lunch!" It's only through work (intentional doing, conscious thought--not
mindless, repetitive action) that our being is altered to see, to know more of
what's going on. Get knowledge, get a friend or two (compadres, we call them
here on the west coast), get money (and power over others); but whatever is
done, get understanding, get wisdom!
Appreciate, accept, our Universe is about releasing energy from matter--
you are its center (did you think it was about matter being created from
energy, you silly savage). Let no one push you aside! Ask questions--answers
are not too important, asking questions is! From your questioning develop
your own answers; become a sphere of power--a sphere of action, not reaction!
See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
ZCPR3 BBS & Z-Node: 415/489-9005
Trademarks: Z80/800, Zilog; HD62801/64180, Hitachi; Z-System, Z-Tools, ZCPR3,
ZRDOS, Z-Com, Z3-Dot-Com, Discat, Syslib3, Emsg, Term3, Zas, Zlink, DSD, ZDM,
ITOZ, Revas3, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and their respective owners and
authors; Star, Xerox; IBM PC, XT, AT, International Business Machines; Lisa,
Macintosh, Apple Computer; DDT, Sid, Zsid, Rmac, Link, CP/M, Digital Research;
Macro-80, Link-80, Microsoft.
Z-News 106 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon, Inc.